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Home ยป Gluten Free Tips

Gluten-Free Certification and Labeling: Unraveling Gluten-Free Shopping in the United States

Published: May 30, 2018 by Sharon McCaskill ยท Modified: Aug 1, 2022 ยท โœ…Edited and Reviewed by: Sharon McCaskill, MA, RDN ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 8 Comments

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In the United States, there are two types of gluten free labeling: gluten-free certification and gluten-free claims (without certification).

In this post, Iโ€™m going to unravel the world of what those gluten free logos are that you see on packages, plus give you suggestions of my favorite brands who adhere to the standards so you can add them to your gluten-free shopping list!

Keep reading for everything you need to know about gluten-free labeling and certification in the United States.


Are you new here? Here's tips to live gluten-free without the stress!

  • How to eat out SAFELY when youโ€™re gluten-free
  • How to make ANY recipe gluten-free
  • How to TRAVEL gluten-free and still have fun

โ€ฆget valuable support in my EXCLUSIVE Facebook communityย โ€œStress-Free Gluten-Freeโ€ by clicking here!


The gluten-free guide below is based on personal experience and research.ย  Always be sure to discuss any medical changes with your doctor for your personal medical needs.ย Additionally, this post contains affiliate links.ย  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My full disclosure isnโ€™t that interesting,ย but you can find itย here.ย 

Take this quick quiz and uncover the secrets to making your gluten-free lifestyle not just manageable, but truly enjoyable with custom recipes and tips!

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Current United States Gluten Labeling Laws

In 2014, theย ย FDA's food labeling regulationsย were enacted.ย  Basically, in order for any food to be labeled โ€œGluten-Freeโ€ the manufacturer must ensure that the product contains less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten.ย 

(PS--there is currently NEW legislation working its way through US Congress making labeling even more clearer!)

While this was a small victory for gluten-free labeling, the manufacturers are not required to test their finished product for the presence of gluten inย  any specific way.ย  If this sounds confusing, itโ€™s because it is!ย 

Therefore, my family and I rely on the following methods to check if products are truly gluten free:

  • Look for an independent gluten-free labeling seal,
  • Read product testing reports at glutenfreewatchdog.org ,
    (Gluten Free Watchdog independently tests products both with gluten-free packaging claims and without and the testing reports online)
  • and contact the manufacturer directly.

Gluten Free Certification Agencies

In the United States, there are currently only 4 gluten-free independent certification agencies.ย 

What is an independent certification agency?ย 

These are agencies which manufacturers can hire to independently test their products for the presence of gluten.ย  Once a product is deemed to meet the standards of the agency, the manufacturer can then place the agencyโ€™s logo on their packaging.ย  All four agencies exceed the FDAโ€™s requirements. ย 

Here are the 4 gluten-free independent certification agencies whose logos you may see in the United States.

1. Beyond Celiac Endorsed Gluten-Free Certification Program

certified gluten free logo by beyond celiac gluten free certification program

The GFCP is the first North American Alliance of gluten-free labeling (meaning you will see this logo in both the United States and Canada).

This gluten-free certification goes beyond just testing final products for the presence of gluten, but also inspects the manufacturerโ€™s manufacturing process, sourcing, equipment and more.

Some of my favorite brands certified by the GFCP to add to your shopping list are:
Baby Mum-Mum;ย ย Kinnikinnick;ย Simply Asia;ย and theย live G free line from Aldi

2. Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)

certified gluten free label from gfco

The GFCO tests both United States and international manufacturerโ€™s finished products to ensure that the final product contains 10ppm or less of gluten.ย 

Beyond this, GFCO inspects equipment and requires manufacturers receiving gluten-free certification to continually submit already-approved products for routine review.

Some of my favorite brands to add to your shopping list who are certified by GFCO are:
Barney & Co;ย Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP; Purely Elizabeth; King Arthur Flour;ย Primal Kitchen

Note: GFCO is rolling out a new label. It looks like the one below. You may see either one on GFCO packaging.

new certified gluten free label from gfco

3. The Public Health and Safety Organization (NSF)

The NSF conducts on-site inspections of their manufacturersโ€™ processes and equipment and certifies through random batch sampling that products test at 15ppm or less of gluten.

Some of my favorite brands with gluten-free certification by NSF are:
TruRoots Ancient Grain; BetterBody Foods.ย These are some basics to add to your weekly plan and shopping list.

4. National Celiac Association (NCA)

certified gluten free logo for the national celiac association

The NCA has very strict standards for gluten-free certification ensuring that each final product tests at 5ppm or less of gluten.

Some of my favorite NCA certified brands that I add to my shopping lists are:
Daiya; Joy Cone Company; Hodgson Mill

One place I love to shop for gluten-free food is at Thrive Market.ย  We don't have any health stores nearby and Thrive has a great selection (plus, you can filter by diet type: gluten-free, paleo, keto, and more!).ย 

Click here to get a free month trial of Thrive Market and save up to $20 on your first order!

Learn more about my experience with Thrive Market and what I order regularly here!

PSโ€”Donโ€™t be deceived by brands who have their own โ€˜labelโ€™ which appears official (for example, Frito-Layโ€™s, Bobโ€™s Red Mill, or General Mills).ย 

What about other gluten free logos outside of these four?

While these products may in-fact be gluten-free and safe for consumption by Celiac Disease and others requiring a strict gluten-free standard, this is not an independent certification.ย 

For products like this, I search Gluten Free Watchdog and contact manufacturers.

Be sure to look out for the differences when shopping so that you purchase products that you trust.

What's they key to loving your gluten free life? Get your personalized plan with the guide you need to thrive!

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Here are some recipes and other tips you will LOVE:

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  • Grain-Free Lemon Mug Cake for One
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia Potts

    July 22, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    wow! so many different things to think about. I wish it was easier. thanks for the post.

    Reply
  2. Mallory Thielges

    July 26, 2018 at 11:03 am

    Thank you for this post! Iโ€™m working on going gluten free and this sure helps. Will definitely be bookmarking your blog. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Kate

    July 26, 2018 at 1:43 pm

    Thanks for all the concrete info! It's already hard enough being gluten free, reading labels can be a whole different ball game!

    Reply
    • thehelpfulgf

      July 27, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      Once I learned this it makes shopping gluten-free SO much easier. I literally just look for those logos!

      Reply
  4. Mark

    November 03, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    Thanks for the info on this subject. My wife and older son are suppose to be on a gluten free diet it but its hard to find reasonable priced food. Be sure to hope over and visit mysite: mykrazylife66.com

    Reply
    • thehelpfulgf

      November 05, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Glad you found this information helpful--thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  5. Jennifer

    August 15, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    Itโ€™s important state that the Certified Gluten Free symbol has apparently been rebranded to a GC. Not sure why they changed it but something to look into.

    Reply
    • Sharon McCaskill

      August 18, 2021 at 12:31 pm

      Yes, they did change it--I'll add it, some products still show the old logo, some have updated to the new one. Thanks for reminding me!

      Reply

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